This September Marks the 50th Anniversary of 'The Flintstones!' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 05-19-2010, 02:33 PM

"The Flintstones" was a Hanna-Barbera Production that originally aired on ABC-TV in prime time from 1960-1966. It was network television's first animated series to which there were 166 original episodes.

The original name of the series in which a pilot was even made, was "The Flagstones". When it was realized that the "Hi and Lois" characters' surname was Flagston, the name was changed. The name "Gladstones" was considered and actually appeared on a number of sketches before the final change to "Flintstones".
The original opening sequence features Fred driving home from work, racing through the streets of Bedrock. Upon arriving home he runs his car into the garage, then goes in the house to sit down and watch TV (Not too dissimilar than the opening of "the Simpsons").

In the original closing sequence, Fred turns off the TV set, covers the bird cage, and attempts to put the cat out, which puts Fred out instead. These sequences were only used for the first two seasons and many people have never seen them, because the later, more familiar opening and closing themes were usually used for all episodes during syndication.

It wasn't until the third season when the opening and closing sequences had the "Meet the Flintstones" theme song. This opening shows Fred sliding down the tail of his dino-crane at the quarry, then Wilma, Dino and the cat pile in the car where they drive to the movies. The closing sequence shows them driving from the movies to a drive-in restaurant where Fred orders ribs which tip over the car, and then drive home, and Fred still attempts to put the cat out.

These sequences were changed slightly throughout the seasons to include the Rubbles and then again to include Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm.
The very first episode aired on September 30, 1960. Titled "The Flintstone Flyer" (P-2), it was actually the second Flintstones episode produced (after The Swimming Pool, P-1), but the first to air. Fred and Barney want to go bowling instead of being dragged to the opera by Wilma and Betty. Fred fakes being sick and Barney flies them to the bowling alley in his hand-cranked helicopter!

"The Flintstones" was nominated for an Emmy in 1961 for "Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Humor". They lost to "The Jack Benny Show".

The show was a model for many other animated TV series and had a major impact on the world of animation. Many cartoons, even today, show obvious influences from "the Flintstones".

http://i-flintstones.tripod.com/info.htm

MickeyMac · 05-19-2010, 05:31 PM

BEST CARTOON EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Marvo301 · 05-19-2010, 07:39 PM

Yabba Dabba Doo!!!!

tv star collector · 05-20-2010, 08:43 AM

Definitely a milestone (no pun intended) in television history. I remember its
original run on ABC. For the record, the original theme song (for the first
two seasons) was "Rise and Shine"; and there were lyrics to it (never heard
except on the Little Golden Record that was released). Prophetically, the
flip side of that disc was "Meet the Flintstones" (with slightly different lyrics
from those later heard on the air). They added a verse that mentions the
Rubbles ("Rubbles / Meet the Rubbles / They're the other stone-age family/
Barney and his Betty / They're as neighborly as they can be ..."). I'm surprised
that I still remember the words!

05-19-2010, 02:33 PM	#1
Brian Damage Moderator Forum Legend I'm Rich Bitch Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 62,155	This September Marks the 50th Anniversary of 'The Flintstones!' "The Flintstones" was a Hanna-Barbera Production that originally aired on ABC-TV in prime time from 1960-1966. It was network television's first animated series to which there were 166 original episodes. The original name of the series in which a pilot was even made, was "The Flagstones". When it was realized that the "Hi and Lois" characters' surname was Flagston, the name was changed. The name "Gladstones" was considered and actually appeared on a number of sketches before the final change to "Flintstones". The original opening sequence features Fred driving home from work, racing through the streets of Bedrock. Upon arriving home he runs his car into the garage, then goes in the house to sit down and watch TV (Not too dissimilar than the opening of "the Simpsons"). In the original closing sequence, Fred turns off the TV set, covers the bird cage, and attempts to put the cat out, which puts Fred out instead. These sequences were only used for the first two seasons and many people have never seen them, because the later, more familiar opening and closing themes were usually used for all episodes during syndication. It wasn't until the third season when the opening and closing sequences had the "Meet the Flintstones" theme song. This opening shows Fred sliding down the tail of his dino-crane at the quarry, then Wilma, Dino and the cat pile in the car where they drive to the movies. The closing sequence shows them driving from the movies to a drive-in restaurant where Fred orders ribs which tip over the car, and then drive home, and Fred still attempts to put the cat out. These sequences were changed slightly throughout the seasons to include the Rubbles and then again to include Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm. The very first episode aired on September 30, 1960. Titled "The Flintstone Flyer" (P-2), it was actually the second Flintstones episode produced (after The Swimming Pool, P-1), but the first to air. Fred and Barney want to go bowling instead of being dragged to the opera by Wilma and Betty. Fred fakes being sick and Barney flies them to the bowling alley in his hand-cranked helicopter! "The Flintstones" was nominated for an Emmy in 1961 for "Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Humor". They lost to "The Jack Benny Show". The show was a model for many other animated TV series and had a major impact on the world of animation. Many cartoons, even today, show obvious influences from "the Flintstones". http://i-flintstones.tripod.com/info.htm Attached Images __________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

05-19-2010, 07:39 PM	#3
Marvo301 Forum Veteran I got a rock. Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 16,482	Yabba Dabba Doo!!!! __________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Alfred Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

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05-19-2010, 05:31 PM	#2
MickeyMac Moderator Forum Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 16,962	BEST CARTOON EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

05-20-2010, 08:43 AM	#4
tv star collector Senior Member I Love Susie Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,228	Definitely a milestone (no pun intended) in television history. I remember its original run on ABC. For the record, the original theme song (for the first two seasons) was "Rise and Shine"; and there were lyrics to it (never heard except on the Little Golden Record that was released). Prophetically, the flip side of that disc was "Meet the Flintstones" (with slightly different lyrics from those later heard on the air). They added a verse that mentions the Rubbles ("Rubbles / Meet the Rubbles / They're the other stone-age family/ Barney and his Betty / They're as neighborly as they can be ..."). I'm surprised that I still remember the words!